p. 247 | Give Us Law by Uriah Smith

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jun 1, 1882

Give Us Law.

By Uriah Smith

THIS is the strong and persistent cry of the advocates of Sunday sanctity. In the Christian at Work of April 20, 1882, we find an article on "The International Sabbath Conference" recently held in Pittsburg, Pa. Among the many steps suggested to secure the better observance of that day, one was to "call a convention of railroad managers, if possible, that by concord of action, the great competing lines may rest on the Sabbath."

Then the writer goes on to ask, "Why not have the convention enlarged by representatives from the leading industries of the country?" If all the railroads and the leading industries of the country, the large manufacturing establishments, printing-offices, breweries, etc., would unite in action, the influence would be immense. But he regrets that this is hardly practicable; and even if it could be secured, he has great misgivings as to its efficiency; for he says: "It would be a plan, not a law; would have the strength of an agreement, but not the force of a penalty."

Let these clauses about "law" and "penalty" be read as if they were printed in italics; for they reveal the true objective point in all this movement. The national reformists are not willing to let the matter rest on any voluntary arrangement; they dare not trust to the strength of an agreement; they must have a command issuing from the government, backed up by the convincing argument of pains and penalties, "Thou shalt honor this as a sacred day." Hence the writer continues:—

"There is need of the power of government behind the plan—the strength of the national government in support of the rule; for the great business corporations of the country have risen above and reach beyond the authority of a Commonwealth. And not till the people have made the Federal Government the escutcheon of the Sabbath, may we expect the rival industries to honor that sacred day."

This language needs no comment. The question to be solved is, Will they secure this power of the Federal Government? The possibilities in this direction are indicated in the following statements from the same article. Having referred to several letters received from the superintendents of different railroads, that the demands of the public (church-members included) compelled them to operate their roads on Sunday, against their desire, he says:—

"And thus the men of business were driven into the dilemma from which they desire to be rescued. They are not there from choice, but by popular demands; and they ask to be delivered from their constituency. And if the church urged her claims as earnestly as the world, and the Christian insisted upon his rights as loudly as the infidel resists them, these corporations would enter triumphantly into the liberty wherewith Christ makes his people free. Christian men lead the enterprises of our age."

This is undoubtedly true. If all professed Christians should unite upon any measure, it could be carried, beyond question. It is this union of effort that is now sought.

The Conference, though not largely attended was pronounced a complete success every way; for, says the reporter, "there was much motion of thought and feeling, and we may reasonably expect that the electricity generated will shine like Edison lights." U. S.